ODDS ANALYSIS
The season’s first month has been an exciting resurgence for the Chicago Cubs. For the Cardinals is been business as usual. The two hook up in a meeting between the NL Central’s top two clubs in the first of a four-game set Monday.
After a four-game winning streak the Cubs offense hit a wall and they have since dropped three of four. They scored 5.5 runs during the win streak but have scored just six times during their current slide cashing the under in each of their last three contests. For the season the under is 10-9-4. Over the last four games the Cubs are down 3.20 units on the moneyline but still in the red 1.09 for the season.
With the best record in the National League the Cards just keep rolling as the most profitable team in the senior circuit. St. Louis has taken 11 of 13 at home this season and has won six straight overall following a three game sweep of Pittsburgh, prevailing in extra innings in every victory over the Pirates. The Cards are up 10.79 units on the moneyline and 11.94 units on the runline winning each of their last six as the favorite.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Chicago’s Travis Wood (2-1, 3.04 ERA) did not walk a batter and posted a quality start in his last outing, a victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday. He fanned a season-high nine batters and showed much improved fastball command.
Wood made five starts against the Cards last season and went 2-1 with a 5.20 ERA. In 16 career appearances – all starts – against St. Louis he’s 5-6 with a 5.18 ERA and has allowed 104 hits and 16 home runs in 88.2 innings pitched.
Carlos Martinez (3-0, 1.73 ERA) turned in his fourth strong effort in as many starts Wednesday giving up two runs in six inning of a 5-2 win over Philadelphia. Using his changeup and slider more liberally has helped him have quicker innings.
Martinez makes his first career start against the Cubs but does have 10 relief appearances with a 2.61 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 10.1 frames.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“This is a good test. We’ve got to win these games. To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. The Cardinals are hot and we’re going into their territory. We’ll find out what we’re made of in the series.” – Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
The free-swinging Cubs have been hit hard by the strikeout bug fanning 28 times in the last two games. The Cubbies struck out a MLB-high 18 times Saturday in a 6-1 loss to the Brewers and whiffed 10 more times Sunday and they weren’t facing Nolan Ryan. Milwaukee starters Mike Fiers and Jimmy Nelson struck out 18 batters and weren’t picky about who they fanned. Kris Bryant and Dexter Fowler went down on strikes five times and Anthony Rizzo twice to bring the Cubs offense to a screeching halt. They face Carlos Martinez Monday, whose 8.31 strikeouts per nine innings is second among St. Louis pitchers with at least 25 innings. There’s a good chance Martinez racks up a few K’s in this one.
PROP TALK
It’s been a struggle early on for Cards All-Star catcher Yadier Molina but look for him to get back on track against a team, and pitcher, he’s had success against during his career. Molina missed a few games last week after taking a foul tip off his right knee and has just three hits in 27 at-bats since getting back in the lineup with his average dropping to an unheard of .231. Molina is a .395 lifetime hitter with three homers against Travis Wood and we like him for a few base knocks in Monday’s opener.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
If the Cubs can actually hit the ball they might have a chance of scoring more than the 1.5 runs they’ve averaged in the last four games. Chicago has whiffed 28 times in the last two games which limits your options on offense. Hopefully for the Cubs they snap out of this K funk they’re in because this is a huge series against the top team in the Central and the one Chicago will most likely have to track down in the division. It won’t be easy against Cards lefty Carlos Martinez, who’s put a decent string of outings together.
The magic continues and it’s depressing for those who aren’t fans of the St. Louis baseball Cardinals. Their projected demise following the loss of ace Adam Wainwright didn’t materialize and they just dip into their talent-rich farm system to plug the holes. The pitching is solid and they do enough offensively to squeak out wins. It’s a proven system that has the Cards at the top of the division again. The Cards get the edge with their past success against Travis Wood and because they are the Cardinals playing at home. Don’t be surprised if they get another walk-off victory.
St. Louis 4, Chicago 3
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2015, at 8:15 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium. The matchup can be seen live on ESPN.
